Dredge.



BEST AVAiLABLE COP PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904.

J. B. GANTWBLL.

DREDGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. '1, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

BEST AVAILABLE COP PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904.

J. B. GANTWELL DREDGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 7. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

INVENTUR E- W/gESSESi 222% BEST AVAILABLE COP PATENTED NOV. 29, 1904.

J. B. GANTWELL.

DREDGE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1, 1904.

'no MODEL,

INVfNTO/i' d v-Lb [5. W

. er o AMATTURNEXS Y WIT/ 53358:

BEST AVAILABLE COP UNITED STATES Patented November 29, 190

PATENT OFFICE.

DREDGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 776,217, dated November 29, 1904.

Application filed March 7, 1904.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. CAN'rwELL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Watertown, in the-county of J efierson and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredges; and I hereby declare the following to .be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in-the art to which it pertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in hydraulic dredges, and more especially pertains to a dredge in which water and accompanying solid matter are v sucked 'or drawn through a suction-pipe from the bed of a basin or waterway.

The primary object of this invention is to simplify the means employed in transmitting power to the cutter or soil-loosener at the receiving end of the suction-pipe.

Another object is to dispense with the use of a cumbersome ladder in supporting the suction-pipe from the hull or body portion of the dredge.

Another object is not only to. operatively mount the cutter or soil-loosener directly on the receiving end of the suction-pipe and to accommodate the reduction in size diametrically of the cutter or soil-loosener, but to reduce to a minimuni the submerging of the means employed in rotating and supporting the said cutter or soil-loosener.

My invention consists, primarily,in the combination, with the hull or body portion of the dredge, ofa rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion, a box affording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally supported from the body portion and arranged to swing in a vertical plane, a cutter or soilloosener borne by and operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the receiving end of the pipe, pipe-hoisting means, means for rotating the pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe.

With the hereinbefore-mentioned objects in view and to the end of realizing other advantages hereinafter appearing this invention consists also in certain features of construc- M and combinations and arrangement of SerialNo. 196,970. (No model.)

parts hereinafter described,- and pointed 01; 'in the claims. i In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1' a side elevation, partly in section, of adredg embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top pl." relative to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side 'elevatio. illustrating a desirable construction and arrangement of meanswhich may be'employed in rotating the suction-pipe: Fig. 4 is an elevation, largely in vertical section on'line 4 4, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow. Fig. 5 is a top plan in section on line 5 .5, Fig. 1, illustrating the discharging end portion of the suctionpipe, a portion 01 the means employed in rotating the said pipe, and the means employed in preventingleakage between the said pipe and the flexible connection between the said pipe and the pum; employed in drawing water and accompany- Fig. 6 is a top plan in section on line 6 6, Fig. 1, illustrating the manner of supporting the cutter-bearing end portion of the suction-pipe. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are drawn on a larger scale than Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the i The body hull or body portion of a dredge. portion A isprovided with a rotary suctionpipe B, which is supported and extends over and outwardly from an end portion of the body portion A in such a manner as to render the said pipe capable of being ,swung in a vertical plane without interfering with the rotatability of the pipe.

said pipe.

The box C is preferably arranged :at the discharging end of the suction-pipe B over the body portion A and is provided with tw( trunnions C and C, arranged horizontally and in line endwise at opposite sides, respec tively, of the said pipe, which trunnions haw bearing in boxes G, which are supportec in any approved manner from the body por tion A. The box D is arranged near the re ceiving end of the pipe B and is constructec in any approved manner. The box D is operatively attached in any suitable manner t( the hoisting-cable f. The hoisting-cable 7 The suction-pipe I has bearing in two boxes 0 and D, arranged a suitable distance apart longitudinally of the.

BEST AVAlLABLE copn'atively engages a suitably-operated wind- 3;-drum F, which is mounted upon the body rtion A. The cablefis attached at one end,as "f, to aframe H, which overhangs the pipe and is rigid with and projects from the body tion A. The cablef leads from its point tttachment to the frame H downwardly 'ro in under the sheave f of hoisting-tackle attached to the box D, and thence uply to and over a guide-sheave ffl suped 'from the outer end of the frame H, 1C8 the said cable leads to the drum F. .s obvious, therefore, that the suction-pipe is hoisted or lowers by gravity, according .s the drum F is rotated in the direction to wind up or pay out the engaging cable.

The pipe B is reinforced by a tubular shell which forms a portion of the pipe and ex- :nds through the box D and increases the .ickness of the said pipe where the pipe has bearing in the said box. The member B is secured in place in any approved manner.

The'pipe B is provided with two collars J and L, rigid withthe said pipe and arranged {see Figs. 1 and 6) at the outer end and inner end, respectively, of the box D, which collars prevent displacement of the said box endwise f the said pipe. Antifriction balls or bear- .ngs Z are preferably interposed between the :ollar L and the box D.

By the construction hereinbefore described t will be observed that the suction-pipe is ca- )able of rotation and free to be hoisted or owered without interfering with the rotata- )ility;of the said pipe.

Fig. l of the drawings illustrates the ro- Gary suction-pipe B as supported from the bodyportion A above the water-line w, and a cutter or soil-loosener O, employed in cutting or loosening the soil or solid material to be iremoved from the bed of a water-basin or waterway, is operatively mounted directly upon and extends beyond the receiving end of the said pipe. The cutter or soil-loosener O is of course constructed to accommodate the passage of water and accompanying solid matter there'through into the pipe B; but the cutter forms no part of my present invention and need therefore not be illustrated in detail in this application.

The means for rotating the suction-pipe B, is shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4:, comprises the iollowing: A bevel -gear P is operatively mounted on the pipe B at the outer side of he trunnions C and is in mesh with a pinion l, which is loosely mounted on one of the aid trunnions, which pinion is rigid and axi- ..lly in line with a spur-gear Q, which meshes vith a pinion R, operatively mounted on a haft R, arranged horizontally at one side of .ndparallel with the said trunnion and sup- )OllSBd from the body portion A. The shaft i is operatively provided with a spur-gear 1 which meshes with a pinion r opera- -----+m1 1m Hm drivinor-shaft on which is supported from the body portion A and operatively provided with a driving-wheel 9", to which power is applied in any approved manner. It will be observed, therefore, that Fig. 1 shows power transmitted to the suction-pipe B from a driving-shaft arranged over the body portion A of the dredge, that the bevel-pinion Q is arranged with its axis coincident with the axes of the trunnions C of the box C, and therefore will remain in proper mesh with the gear P during the swinging of the said pipe ina vertical plane. However, the means for driving the suctionpipe B may be varied at pleasure, and modifications in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and purpose of my invention. For instance, not undesirable means for rotating the pipe B is shown in Fig. 3, wherein a spur-gear 10 is operatively mounted on the said pipe and meshes with a spur-pinion 12, with which the shaft 13 of a motor 14, shown mounted on the said box, is operatively provided.

The pipe B, as shown very clearly in Fig. 5, is reinforced bya tubular member B which forms a portion of the said pipe and extends through the box C and increases the thickness of the said pipe where the pipe has bearing in the said box. The member B is secured in place in any approved manner.

The transmission of the power required to rotate the suction-pipe B in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4 will result in some thrust endwise'upon the said pipe in the direction of the receiving end of the pipe, and a thrustbearing is therefore provided at the inner end of the box Cand comprises acollar formed by an annular flange B, with which the member B is provided at and opposite the said end of the said box. Antifriction balls or bearing 14 are preferably interposed between the opposing surfaces of the collar B and the box C, as shown in Fig. 5.

The reinforcing member B of the pipe B extends, as at B, (see Fig. 5,) into a stuflingbox at, which surrounds the said member B A coupling member y, employed in connecting a hose or flexible connection 15 to the member B is attached to the stuffing-box as, which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is supported from an arm C formed upon and projecting from the box C. It will be observed, therefore, that the flexible connection '15 is held in communication with the pipe B with-' out interfering with the rotatability of the said pipe. The flexible connection 15 communicates at its discharging end, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the inlet of a suitablyoperated rotary pump 16, mounted upon the body portion A of the dredge. The pump 16 communicates at its outlet with a pipe or passage-way 17, which leads to the place to which water and accompanying solid matter, drawn through the suction-pipe B by the op- BEST AVAILABLE coP A collar on is mounted upon and rigid with the reinforcing member B of the pipe B at the outer end of the hub of the gear P and is arranged, therefore, to prevent displacement of the said hub endwise of the said pipe away from the box C.

The pipe B is prevented from swaying laterally by two steadying bars or rods t and t, arranged at opposite sides, respectively, and longitudinally of the said pipe, which rods or bars are secured at one end to the box D at opposite sides, respectively, of the said box and are journaled at their outer end upon the different trunnions C and C, respectively, of the box C, so as to render them capable of swinging in a vertical plane with the pipe B when the said pipe is hoisted or lowered, as hereinbefore described.

It will be observed that my improved dredge, as hereinbefore described, is exceedingly simple and durable in construction and reliable in its operation; that the rotary suction-p'ipe B is not only employed in transmitting power to the cutter or soil-loosener, but

also-is adequately, advantageously, and inexpensively supported from the body portion; that the pipe-rotating means is applied in such a manner as to accommodate the swinging of the suction-pipe in a'vertical plane without interfering with the rotatability of the pipe; that the passage-way formed by the suctionpipe and the flexible connection between the said pipe and the pump is straight or approximately straight, so as to facilitate the passage of water and accompanying solid matter through the said passage-way, andthat the mounting of the cutter 0 directly upon the suction-pipe renders possible the reduction to a minimum of the size of the cutter diametrically, which is desirable, because a smaller cutter not only requires less power, but also enables its construction so as to facilitate a more rapid flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the cutter into the suction-pipe and would thereby be less liable to be choked or obstructed by soil or solid matter drawn into the pipe with the water.

What I claim is V 1. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe pivotally supported and extending outwardly from the body portion and'arranged to swing in a vertical plane; a cutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; means for rotating the said pipe; pipe-hoisting means, and pipe-steadying members suitably connected, at one end, to the suction-pipe and pivotally supported, at the opposite end, from the body portion, and the pivotal connections between the said pipe-steadying members and the body portion being arranged with their axes coincident with the axial line of the aforesaid pivotal connection between the suction-pipe and the body portion.

outcrend of the pipe; means for rotating the said pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying sohd matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the said pipe.

3. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; a box aflording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally supported from the body portion to render the pipe capable of swinging in a vertical plane; a cutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; another box affording bearing tothe'suction-pipe between the soilloosener and the first-mentioned box; means for rotating the said pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe.

4. The combination, with the bull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipev extending outwardly from the body portion; a box aflording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions arranged in line endwise 'at opposite sides respectively of the box;

boxes affording bearing to the trunnions and supported .from the body portion; a cutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; means for rotating the said pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe.

5'; The combination of a rotary suctionpipe; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions arranged in line endwise at opposite sides respectively of the box; suitably-supported boxes afiording bearing to the trunnions; a cutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the said pipe; means for rotating the suction-pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe.

6. The combination of a rotary suctionpipe; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally supported and arranged as required to render it capable of swinging in a vertical plane; means for rotating the suctionpipe; acutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the suction-pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe.

7. The combination of a rotary suctionpipe; a box afl ording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions 'arranged in line endwise at opposite sides respectively of the box; boxes affording bearing to the trunnions; a cutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the suction-pipe; a bevel-gear operatively mounted on the suction-pipe; a bevelpinion meshing with the gear and loosely mounted on one of the aforesaid trunnions, and means for driving the pinion.

8. The combination of a rotary suction pipe; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions arranged in line endwise at opposite sides respectively of the box; boxes affording bearing to the trunnions and supported from the body portion; acutter or soil-loosener operatively connected with the suction-pipe; suction-pipe-rotating means; another box affording bearing to the suctionpipe and arranged between the soil-loosener and the pipe-rotating means, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe.

9. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe pivotally supported and extending outwardly from the body portion and arranged to swing in a vertical plane; a cutter or soilloosener operatively connected with the said pipe at the outer end of the pipe; a box affording bearing to the suction-pipe between the soil-loosener and the pivotal connection between thepipe and the body portion; a collar rigid with the suction-pipe at the inner end of the box; antifriction-bearings between the said end of the said box and the said collar; pipe-hoisting means;

means for rotating the suction-pipe, and means 3 for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe.

10. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe pivotally supported and projecting outwardly from the said body portion and arranged to swing in a vertical plane; a cutter operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; a box affording bearing to the suction-pipe between the cutter and the pivotal connection between the said pipe and the aforesaid body portion; pipe hoisting means connected to the said box; and two pipe-steadying members attached, at one end, to the said box at opposite sides respectively of the box and pivotally supported, at their opposite end, from the aforesaid body portion, and the pivotal connections between the said pipe-steadying members and the body portion being arranged with their axes coincident with the axial line of the aforesaid pivotal connection between the suction-pipe and the body portion.

11. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally supported from the body portion to render the pipe capable of swinging in a vertical plane; a cutter or soil-loosener borne by and operatively connected with the suctionpipe at the outer end of the pipe; the thrustbearing next adjacentthe said box; pipe-hoisting means; means for rotating the suctionpipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe.

12. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally supported from the body portion to render the pipe capable of swinging in a vertical plane; a cutter or soil-loosener borne by and operatively connected with thesuctionpipe at the outer end of the pipe; pipe-hoisting means; pipe-rotating means, and the pipe being reinforced Where it extends through the aforesaid box.

13. 'Ihe'combination, with portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; a box aflording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally supported from the body portion to render the pipe capable of swinging in avertical plane; a cutter or soil-loosener borne by and operatively connected with the suctionpipe at the outer end of the pipe; another box' affording bearing to the suction-pipe near the soil-loosener; pipe-hoisting means attached to the last-mentioned box; means for rotating the suction-pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe.

14:. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; a box affording bearing to the said pipe, which box is pivotally supported from the body portion and arranged to swing in a vertical plane; a cutter or soil-loosener operatively mounted on the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; another box affording bearing to the suction-pipe near the soil-loosener; pipe-rotating means arranged above the water line, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe.

15. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions arranged horizontally and in line endwise at opposite sides respectively of the box; boxes affording bearing to the trunnions and supported from the body portion; a cutter or soil-loosener borne by and operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; means for rotating the suction-pipe; means for supporting the suction-pipe in suitable proximity to the soilloosener, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe.

16. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipeextcnding outwardly from the body portion; a box affording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions arranged horizontally and in line endwise at opposite sides respectively of the box; boxes afl'ording bearing to the trunnions and supported from the body portion; a cutter or soil-loosener borne by and operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; a bevel-gear operatively mounted on the suctionpipe at the outer end of the aforesaid box; a bevel-pinion meshing with the gear and loosely mounted on one of the aforesaidtrunnions, and means for driving the pinion.

17 The combination, with the-hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipeextending outwardly from the body portion; abox affording bearing to the said pipe and having two trunnions arranged horizontally and in line endwise at opposite sides respectively of the box; boxes affording bearing to the trunnions and supported from the body portion; a cutter or soil-loosener borne by and operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe; suction-pipe-rotating means arranged above the water-line; another box afiording bearing to the suction-' 3 pipe and arranged between the soil-loosener BESVT AVAILABLE COP 5 attached, at one end, to the last-mentioned and 35 outer box and are journaled, at the opposite end, upon the different aforesaid trunnions respectively; pipe-hoisting means attached to the outer box, and means for eflecting afiow of Water and accompanying solid matter through 4 the suction-pipe from the outer end of the pipe. a

l8. The combination, with the hull or body portion of a dredge, of a rotary suction-pipe extending outwardly from the body portion; 45;,

a box affording bearing to the said pipe and pivotally. supported from the body portion and arranged to swing in a vertical plane; pipehoisting means; means for rotating the said pipe; a cutter or 'soil-loosener borne by and 5 operatively connected with the suction-pipe at the outer end of the pipe, and means for effecting a flow of water and accompanying solid matter through the suction-pipe.

In testimony whereof I sign the foregoing 55 specification in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. CANTWELL. Witnesses:

C. H; DORER, G. M. HAYES. 

